Siesta Restaurant to close its doors

By
ALLISON MILES
May 9, 2012 at 12:09 a.m.Updated May 10, 2012 at 12:10 a.m.

Patrick Medrano greeted the Siesta Restaurant staff with a smile as he walked to his table, placing his order before even sitting down. There was no need for a menu because he practically knew it by heart.

"We're here at least once a week," he said as his wife, Sylvia Medrano, took a seat. "We like it here."

The Medranos will soon find themselves making new arrangements, though. After 56 years in business, the restaurant will close its doors Wednesday.

The decision wasn't an easy one, said Bobby Trevino, whose family has owned the establishment from the start. Still, he said, it was time.

Times changed, he said, and competition grew. When restaurant owner and co-founder Beatrice Trevino developed Alzheimer's disease several years ago, that was another push toward closure.

"I think we're about burnt out," Bobby Trevino said through tears. "We've come to a fork in the road and a decision had to be made. But I feel we've had a long run in Victoria."

Federico and Beatrice Trevino began their endeavor in 1956, when they opened New Mecca at the corner of Water and Bridge streets. They relocated multiple times through the years, changing the name first to the Siesta Cafe and, in 1977, to Siesta Restaurant, when the eatery opened at its 2505 Houston Highway location.

The building is now under contract, Bobby Trevino said, although he could not go into further detail.

He said he would always cherish the memories made through years. Things like the aunt who made tamales pro bono, just to help out, the $2 he sometimes got for doing the dishes and the many fundraisers the restaurant hosted all left impressions.

"We're upset by closing the doors Mom and Dad started in 1956, but we look forward to the opportunities in the future," he said. "Of doing some good in the name of our parents."

Randy Vivian, president and CEO of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, said he understood why the business chose to close, but said it was still sad.

"They're going to be missed," he said.

Vivian said Siesta became a community icon through the years.

"These are the types of businesses that people come from out of town to visit, and they're the things that locals find comfort in," he said. "They know the food, it's consistent and it's good. And, because of that, they patronize it."

Such was the case for Julie Nicely, who visited Siesta on Wednesday with her daughter and grandchildren.

Nicely said she made her way to the restaurant once or twice a week before retiring, since the food kept her going throughout the day. While she ate a meal at lunchtime, she also bought chips and hot sauce to take back to work.

"That way we had something to eat on all day," she said.

Nicely passed that love of the spicy stuff on to her daughter, Pamela Deyton. On Wednesday, Deyton sat with the chips and red sauce strategically placed in front of her, easy to access.

"This is the best hot sauce in town," she said with a smile.

Bobby Trevino said his family was grateful for the customers who visited through the years, and said he enjoyed watching their children - and later their children's children - grow.

As for the Medranos, they said they would miss Siesta, and didn't really have a backup. Siesta, Patrick Medrano said, was his favorite.

"But you know what they say," he said, shaking his head. "All good things come to an end. All good things."

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Siesta Restaurant's timeline:

Siesta Restaurant's timeline:• 1956: Federico and Beatrice Trevino open their first restaurant, New Mecca, at the corner of Water and Bridge streets in Victoria. It later moves to 304 S. Rae St. and changes its name to the Siesta Cafe.

• May 1959: The business relocates to 3001 Port Lavaca Drive.

• October 1977: Restaurant opens at its current location, 2505 Houston Highway, as Siesta Restaurant.

• December 1980: Federico Trevino, who co-founded the business, dies.

• September 1984: The Houston Highway location sustains $10,000 in damages when an intoxicated driver crashes a pickup into the building's northwest corner. No one is injured.

• October 1996: The Baylor University Institute for Family Business awards the restaurant the Community Commitment Family Business Award. The honor goes to companies that demonstrate strong business and family values and community commitment.

• August 2011: Restaurant hosts reception honoring server Josie Vivero for 32 years with the business.

• May 2012: Restaurant closes its doors.

Source: Victoria Advocate archives

FOR MORE INFORMATION

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Siesta Restaurant, call 361-578-9927 or visit 2505 Houston Highway.